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5th September 2015
11:00am BST
1. Gaokao College Test
The scary bit: This is regarded as one of the most difficult exams in the world, China's most terrifying test for young people. This entrance exam is taken by 9.5 million children on June 7 every year, for only 6.5 million school placements. Parents in China severely punish their offspring if they fail. #thefear
They did what? In the 2014 exams, students were frisked using metal detectors to confiscate mobile phones and secret transmitters. Infuriated parents started a riot outside the school when 2,000 students were caught cheating.
2. Master Sommelier Diploma Exam
The scary bit: Hailed as the world's toughest exam, candidates never succeed until they have attempted it at last three times. The candidate has to identify the grape variant before the impossible task of defining which year and region the wines are from. Only 200 people have aced it in 40 years. And it costs around €3,000 a go, taking in travel costs and the price of wines to blind taste beforehand.
They do what? A blind-tasting test has to be completed to find the perfect 'nose' for any wine brand. We can't say the training doesn't look appealing. Just not today, thanks.
3. Russian Spetsnaz Entrance Test
The scary bit: Individuals are forced into a situation that makes them want to quit. They are beaten so badly that they can barely get on their feet to continue the combat. The victors often become highly-ranked bodyguards who look after the likes of President Vladamir Putin.
They do what? The Spetsnaz want only the best pain-hardened, battle-loving killer elite on their books. The soldiers form teams who spar until they break fingers, ribs and vertebrae. #IllkeeptheHangoverThanks
4. Spartan Athlete Death Race
The scary bit: The severely difficult terrain of the Green Mountains in Vermont is the venue for this race. There is no time limit and even for ultra-athletes, it can take up to 70 hours to finish. Challenges include hauling five-gallon buckets of gravel and pulling hunks of concrete up the mountain side.
They do what? The organisers neither tell you when it begins nor when it ends. When you sign up, you are not told what the race will entail and are encouraged to quit when the set challenges become too much. The feeling you are doomed to fail is prevalent throughout the race. #insane
5. Oxford All Souls Prize Fellowship Exam
The scary bit: Before 2010, students were given one word to write about in four exhausting, three-hour long exams. Only two applicants are successful out of dozens who enter. Knowledge is one thing but for this you must have an exceptional imagination to boot.
They do what? The college has a financial fund of £272 million of which they use an undisclosed amount to groom the perfect candidates. The exam Fellows can study anything for free at Oxford. They are provided with room, board and a stipend from upwards of £14,000, depending on whether they decide to pursue an academic career or not. #bizarre
6. British Forces SAS Test
The scary bit: The Special Air Service are trained in knife-fighting by Apache Indian knife experts and have in-depth counter espionage skills. Proficient in defense training disciplines Krav Maga, Sayoc Kali and the Keysi fighting methods made famous in the Chris Nolan Batman films; they sound frightening. All national commando units are based on the model used by the British SAS. #scared
They do what? Their physical training is the same as that of the Navy SEALs in that they undergo an utterly exhausting arrangement of physical tests. A 460-metre swim must be nailed in under 10 minutes, 79 push-ups and up to 80 sit-ups must be finished in less than two minutes.#killmenow
Feel any better? Email us our your heart-pounding, fear-inducing, hangover moments: karen.forde@herfamily.ieExplore more on these topics:
